Creature Feature #454: Marakely

The Marakely is a primitive cichlid fish, and is considered a living fossil. He can be found in the crater lakes  and rivers of Madagascar. Here he forages on insects, crustaceans and smaller fish. During the wet season, pairs form and the two will dig a shallow scrape in the substrate. Here she will lay up to 1000 eggs. The male swims guard, whilst the female fans the eggs to keep them clean until they hatch - about 48 hours later. The adults then protect their fry from predation.